For the contemporaries of veteran actor Hubert Puglisevich, who passed away aged 78, his death meant the loss of a generous and very versatile actor, as well as the end of an era.
For years, Mr Puglisevich delighted Maltese audiences on stage, television, radio and film.
He served as chairman of the MADC (Malta Amateur Dramatic Club) as well as being a committee member of Atturi Productions.
Lino Farrugia remembered his old colleague as “a lovely character who exuded energy and life”.
“Apart from being a very generous man, he was also very versatile. He played all sorts of roles ranging from comedy to demanding roles which required a lot of insight, such Cassius in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar”.
He added that Mr Puglisevich was a very good organiser, especially in his post as MADC chairman and as the financial controller of Atturi Productions.
“He was one of Malta’s leading actors. To my mind, we are missing one of her best performers of the 20th century.”
Karmen Azzopardi tearfully recalled Mr Puglisevich as a “very, very good friend”.
We are missing one of the best performers of the 20th century
“He was a true gentleman and very loyal. He threw himself into all the projects we planned with such enthusiasm.”
She referred to his varied repertoire as an actor, taking on roles by playwrights Eduardo De Filippo and Aleksei Arbuzov, which he performed in Moscow under Tony Bezzina’s direction. “It was a pleasure to work with him. I am deeply saddened by his loss.”
Marilou Coppini reminisced on her last play with Mr Puglisevich, MADC’s School for Scandal, put on at the Manoel Theatre in 1996. Mr Puglisevich’s daughter Vanessa was also part of the cast.
“He took his art very seriously. He was very diligent and dedicated. He was also a very good chairman – [veteran actress] Madeleine Attard Montalto praised his abilities. And that was quite a compliment coming from her, seeing that she had been around for some 30 years”.
Ms Coppini added that he was a very giving and considerate actor, who would help his fellow actors by, for instance, covering up for them when they forgot their lines.
“He was someone whom I really enjoyed working with. His death signals the end of an era.”